UK television network ITV2 is putting episodes of The Vampire Diaries on the internet as a pay to view basis months before the show premiers on traditional tv.

The network is hoping viewers will pay via its iTunes store to get an early viewing of the hit shows and not go down the illegal download route. It also hopes to create a fan base for the show ahead of its February terrestrial debut.

The 22-episode series, based on the series of books by LJ Smith and will be available for the sum of £1.89 for standard definition and £2.49 for the HD version

The first 10 episodes will be available for a fee on iTunes over the coming weeks in standard and high-definition, starting today. The subsequent 12 episodes will be offered the day after they air in the US.

The Vampire Diaries is based on LJ Smith’s best-selling book and was produced by Dawson’s Creek creator Kevin Williamson (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer). It follows two vampire brothers who clash over the soul of a high school girl.

Josh Berger, president of Warner Bros Entertainment UK, said: “We’re committed to providing our shows with the best possible launch platform. The highly innovative approach to releasing The Vampire Diaries gives us and ITV2 the chance to maximise excitement ahead of its UK premiere in February, and provides consumers with a high-quality legal alternative to pirated versions.”

The ITV2 iTunes store has been open for a couple of months, offering content that has previously been aired. This is the first time it is offering content early to paying viewers.

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